Now (FA) & Later (Draft): Best Bounceback Offseason
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2022 11:30 am
I noticed as I was going over some of my NBA spreadsheets, that there very well could be an interesting and rare confluence this summer.
The 6 teams with significant 2022-2023 capspace (each over $30mil, by my estimation) could all pick in the top half of the 2022 NBA Draft lottery. I know that you can do many things with capspace, and not every team that has it will want to make a splashy free agent signing. I also know that this isn't the deepest FA class. However, there are enough unrestricted free agents who suggest that they will play the field, as well as promising RFA's whose current teams have not been eager to offer market value extensions.
With a key offseason signing, AND a potentially high lottery draft selection, we could see a very robust middle class, and maybe even a rags-to-riches turnaround next season. Among these teams, I've arbitrarily assigned a draft pick and a FA acquisition. Which one do YOU think would constitute the biggest overall franchise improvement?
Orlando - Draft Chet Holmgren #1, sign Zach Lavine to 4yr max
Detroit - Draft Jabari Smith #2, sign DeAndre Ayton to 4yr max
Oklahoma City - Draft Paolo Banchero #4, sign Bradley Beal to 4yr max
Indiana - Draft AJ Griffin #5, sign Anfernee Simons to 4yr, $120mil
Portland - Draft Keegan Murray #6, sign James Harden to 4yr max
San Antonio - Draft Jalen Duren #7, sign Kyrie Irving to 4yr max
The 6 teams with significant 2022-2023 capspace (each over $30mil, by my estimation) could all pick in the top half of the 2022 NBA Draft lottery. I know that you can do many things with capspace, and not every team that has it will want to make a splashy free agent signing. I also know that this isn't the deepest FA class. However, there are enough unrestricted free agents who suggest that they will play the field, as well as promising RFA's whose current teams have not been eager to offer market value extensions.
With a key offseason signing, AND a potentially high lottery draft selection, we could see a very robust middle class, and maybe even a rags-to-riches turnaround next season. Among these teams, I've arbitrarily assigned a draft pick and a FA acquisition. Which one do YOU think would constitute the biggest overall franchise improvement?
Orlando - Draft Chet Holmgren #1, sign Zach Lavine to 4yr max
Detroit - Draft Jabari Smith #2, sign DeAndre Ayton to 4yr max
Oklahoma City - Draft Paolo Banchero #4, sign Bradley Beal to 4yr max
Indiana - Draft AJ Griffin #5, sign Anfernee Simons to 4yr, $120mil
Portland - Draft Keegan Murray #6, sign James Harden to 4yr max
San Antonio - Draft Jalen Duren #7, sign Kyrie Irving to 4yr max